Heathrow's Expansion masterplan
Heathrow has launched its 12-week statutory consultation on expansion, the latest milestone in delivering one of the UK's most critical national infrastructure projects, as the preferred masterplan for the project is unveiled.
The Airport Expansion Consultation runs from 18th June until 13th September 2019 and gives the public the opportunity to provide feedback on Heathrow’s proposals for the future layout of the airport, including the new runway and other airport infrastructure such as terminals and road access. The public will also be able to have their say on plans to manage the environmental impacts of expansion, including a proposed Heathrow Ultra Low Emissions Zone, Heathrow Vehicle Access Charge and a proposed 6.5-hour ban on scheduled night flights.
The Airport Expansion Consultation also reveals plans for the airport’s growth in phases – from runway opening in approximately 2026, to the end masterplan in approximately 2050. This incremental growth will mirror the forecasted growth in passengers and help airport charges remain close to 2016 levels, delivering more affordable fares for passengers.
In addition, the consultation is seeking feedback on:
Plans to operate the future airport: how the future three runway airport will be operated, including important elements such as night flights, as well as how potential additional flights before the new runway opens could be operated on the existing two runways;
Assessment of impacts of the airport’s growth: Heathrow’s preliminary assessment of the likely impacts of expansion on the environment and local communities;
Plans to manage the impacts of expansion: Heathrow will set out the airport’s plans for mitigating the effects of expansion, including property compensation, Noise Insulation Policy, a Community Fund, and plans to mitigate against environmental effects including new measures to reduce congestion and emissions and a ban on scheduled flights at night.
The plans revealed in this consultation incorporate the extensive feedback gathered from the airport’s first public consultation on expansion, which took place from January to March 2018, and the Airspace and Future Operations Consultation held from January to March 2019, as well as from continuous engagement with local communities, local authorities, airlines, environmental stakeholders and other interested parties.
Responses to this consultation will inform Heathrow’s application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) – the planning consent required for the project – which is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport next year.
The consultation will be the airport’s largest and most innovative public consultation to date, with 43 consultation events to be held during the 12-week period. As part of this consultation, a website will also be available with all the information about Heathrow’s proposals, videos to help explain the plans, and an online feedback form to assist as many people as possible to participate and have their say. Hard copy consultation documents will be available to view in 42 different locations across local communities. Heathrow has also invested in new technology to bring the plans to life, including a physical model of the future airport which features augmented reality, sound booths to demonstrate the effect of noise insulation on properties overflown by aircraft, and a CGI fly through video.
Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director for Expansion, has urged local people to participate in the consultation, saying:
“Expansion must not come at any cost. That is why we have been working with partners at the airport, in local communities and in Government to ensure our plans show how we can grow sustainably and responsibly – with environmental considerations at the heart of expansion. This consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on our preferred masterplan, so it’s really important that as many people as possible take part. We look forward to hearing your views.”
The consultation opens on 18th June 2019 and feedback can be submitted from this date. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 11.55pm on 13th September 2019. Feedback can be submitted in a number of ways:
Online, using the dedicated consultation website: https://aec.heathrowconsultation.com/
By freepost: Post your feedback form (available at the events, from the website’s Documents section, or on request) to the airport at FREEPOST LHR AEC CONSULTATION
By email: feedback@heathrowconsultation.com
Throughout the Airport Expansion Consultation, Heathrow will be holding 43 open consultation events where people will be able to learn about the plans, ask questions, and provide their feedback. Details of the dates, times and locations of consultation events can be found on this website:https://aec.heathrowconsultation.com/
On 25th June 2018, MPs voted to approve the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides policy support for Heathrow expansion, by 415 in favour to 119 against – a majority of 296 votes which provided the airport with a clear mandate to proceed.
Heathrow expansion will be privately financed and costs will not fall on the taxpayer. The airport’s investors are supportive of this crucial project which will form part of the key trading infrastructure Britain will need to succeed post-Brexit.
Following the conclusion of this consultation and after feedback has been incorporated, Heathrow will submit a final proposal to the Secretary of State for Transport in 2020, kickstarting its approvals process. The decision on whether to grant the DCO will be made by the Secretary of State following a public examination period.
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